Why does Skyler put down a towel underneath her feet in Ted's house?
In Breaking Bad Season 3 Episode 05 - Mas, there is a scene in Ted's house, in the bathroom, where Skyler puts down a towel under her feet. In earlier episode Ted speaks about how the contractor talked him into having a system that heats the floor.
As I see it there are 2 possible explanations to Skyler's action: one, that the floor had become too hot/cold for her liking or two, her current stance in which she starts to doubt her relationship with Ted and softens on what Walt has done, makes her feel guilty. So it could be her way to put a sheet (read towel) between her two lives.
Which is it? Is there something I missed or am I reading too much into a simple scene? (I sincerely doubt that. Nothing, absolutely nothing is inconsequential in Breaking Bad).
PS: I remember, moments before this particular scene Ted walking out of the shower and hugging Skyler from behind and asking her to keep back some of her things since she comes in regularly. He did not mention the floor being too hot/cold, so the first possibility looks dim!
Please mention spoiler alert in-case you reference something that happens after this episode.
Best Answer
AMC's own description of the episode explains that at first
Skyler basks in the luxury of Ted's heated bathroom floor
but later
Skyler stands in Ted's bathroom, fixing her make up post-tryst... Suddenly aware of and uncomfortable with the luxurious surroundings, she looks down at the warm floor, grabs a towel and stands on it.
Personally, I took it as Skyler feeling guilty about this whole situation with Ted. She tries to resist the temptations this "new life" offers, because she doesn't want to give up on her "old life".
Pictures about "Why does Skyler put down a towel underneath her feet in Ted's house?"
Why did Skyler knock over the Pens?
Skyler White is wearing a black dress when she knocks a can of pens off her desk to lure Ted Beneke into her office.Why does Skyler flip a coin at the four corners?
In \u201cCornered,\u201d Skyler White drives to the Four Corners with her infant daughter and flips a coin, presumably in an attempt to decide which state to flee to as she contemplates leaving Walt. The quarter settles in Colorado both times she flips.What did Ted do to Skyler?
However, Ted has no assets and can't pay the back taxes, so Skyler has Saul Goodman inform him that he's inherited several hundred thousand dollars from his "Great Aunt Birgit." Ted infuriates Skyler by refusing to pay his IRS debt, even after she reveals that she provided his "inheritance." Just paying the taxes won't ...What happens to Skyler after Walt dies?
It is revealed that Skyler is eventually forced to move into an apartment and takes a job as a taxi dispatcher, having all their assets seized. She still maintains custody of the children, however ("Granite State").Breaking Bad - I F***ed Ted Scene (S3E3) | Rotten Tomatoes TV
More answers regarding why does Skyler put down a towel underneath her feet in Ted's house?
Answer 2
Here's the full text of the scene where the floor is introduced.
SKYLER - Oh, my God, I love this floor.This feels fantastic. Can you control the temperature?
TED- Yeah. There should be a switch right next to you there. It's a thermostat.
SKYLER - Ted, this has gotta be the most amazing invention ever.
TED - I know. Contractor talked me into it. Seemed kind of extravagant, but I gotta tell you, once you try it, you can't go back.
SKYLER- I can never find anything in this Buick. (referring to her bag)
TED - You know, you could leave a few things here if you want.
I think the significance of her putting the towel underneath her feet is a hint on the part of the filmmakers that she has decided that Ted is a fling and is preparing to make the transition back to her family less painful. She's contradicting Ted's line "Once you try it, you can't go back".
Answer 3
I think she just misses her own house/family, and is getting tired of the affair. In a previous episode, if I recall correctly, she mentions the heated floor and she seems impressed by the luxury and enjoys it. But by this episode she's just going through the motions in the affair and is reconsidering continuing the affair.
Answer 4
An act of defiance. By putting down the towel she rejects the offer of life with Ted and everything that comes with it.
Answer 5
Skyler gave Walt crap about his illegal money...but the money Ted used to buy all these luxuries are illegal too. She realized Ted was just as bad as Walt but Walt and her have history.
Answer 6
It was really obvious to me. The heating floor and Ted are basically the same thing to her, comfort away from home. The chat she just had about Marie before going in Ted's house to get some deep and dirty to paraphrase Saul started to make her think that she might be a bit too harsh with Walt. That's also why she actually smiles when he picks up Holly (the only moment where I can't help but have some tears in the whole show). Walt never looked happier in the whole show than at that moment. When he turned around and saw Skyler left the room, he understands that it's over with Skyler but that their feud is also over so he accepts the divorce.
Funny how in the beginning of the next episode she's speaking to Walt about the divorce papers he signed how she looks like she has cried before calling him. This and the last talk she has with her lawyer makes it obvious she actually still cares for Walt but is really confused. The not feeling the floor is not feeling Ted, who's also a crook, who actually steals money, unlike Walt, who earned what he's got.
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Anete Lusina, Anete Lusina, Anete Lusina, Katerina Holmes